Inviting Protective Spirits
Into Your Life
By C. Allie Knowlton, MSW, LCSW, DCSW
Co-Editor
|
|
Many people who come to see us in our healing practice at the integrative medical center True North, share a similar memory. They smile recalling their favorite tree, their “special spot” when they were children. Their circumstances may have been quite different--they might have experienced these places in their disfunctional families, or at summer camps or with relatives who live in rural settings. What is common about their stories is that they describe the feelings of safety and connectedness they experienced in their private space. Whether their place was in a field, beside a lake or ocean, the action of simply being there in memory--quickly transports them into the emotions of what it was like to feel protected. This initially brings an expression of joy to their faces however soon after, this is frequently replaced by an expression of sadness. This shift, which often occurs rather suddenly is because they are aware that they don't feel that sense of protection or safety in their present life.
When we facilitate our training programs, I always go out to greet the spirits of the land as a representative of the community that will soon assemble. I bring an offering for the water elemental, the earth, the spirit caretaker as well as all the spirit beings that reside on the property. As I feed them, I request their protection for the participants. I also request that the lessons they bring us be gentle. I then ask for a message to bring back to my community to help them to become more conscious of their developing respectful relationships with the sprits of the area.
Most recently, I was doing this “meet and greet” ritual at Lake Ossipee prior to the start of one of our Graduate Program weekends. When I asked to meet with the land's spirit caretaker, I felt the presence of many of the trees around me. I felt them inviting me to listen. Their message was that they were the caretakers of this land which has been used as a childrens camp for many, many years. The trees said that they were aware of the children who could hear them. They asked me to invite my community of adults to find ways to listen to their wisdom too. The trees suggested that they had wisdom to share that would be useful for our times. They also assured me that they would offer their protection while we were there.
At this point, I was drawn to a tree with a large burl bulging out of one of its sides. Placing my hands on the burl, I first felt the energy of the sap moving up to feed the new leaves and encouraging them to sprout. Then I was startled by a deep thumping sound. I looked to see the source and saw that as the strong wind blew off Ossipee Lake, the tree I was connecting with was touching its neighbor. What I was experiencing was the vibration of a heart beat drummed down from the top of the tree into my hands, into my body and into the earth. In that moment, I felt connected to the earth, the wind, the trees, the lake, and the loons I heard in the distance. I felt a deep sense of well-being and all of that came from my connection with the tree!
It is possible for us to reclaim the sense of privacy, safety, protection and connectedness that we experienced as a child. It is also possible for those who haven't yet felt it, to experience it first hand. Indeed, not only is it possible, it is an important gift to give ourselves in an age that is so immersed in emotional drama. Several friends of ours have sustained closed head injuries in auto accidents. Their injuries left them with a strong connection to the visual side of their brain and the ability to actually see the "unseen world." In fact, it is difficult for them to shut out the deluge of visual input they receive on a daily basis. To avoid being completely overwhelmed, they have had to learn how to call in more protection to help the space around to be cleared of unwanted spiritual static.
One person in particular who had moved quite a bit, found that she could see the spirits that lingered in every new apartment or house. Some of this was spiritual energy left over from the last inhabitants, some were spirits of the dead who had not crossed over into the Light. As a busy graduate student, she was clear she did not have time to wrestle with these spirits nor was it her job to help them into the Light. She just wanted to feel safe in her apartment and be able to have time to renew herself. In telephone consultations, my Spirit teacher supported her to call on all the protective spirits she required to accomplish this. Over time she collected quite a "posse" of protective spirits who could handle any situation. As she worked with them, she learned who of them could be called upon for any given situation. They ranged from the Archangel Michael, to faerie beings, to tree beings all of whom support her to be safe wherever she travels.
After five years of annual training programs in the Catskill Mountains, we were told the center where we held our meetings would be closing. The facilitator of our group asked us to do a shamanic journey to the spirit of this beautiful valley. In the journey we were to ask what spirit of place with whom we had been in relationship might want to come home with us. In the car on our way home I asked my partner what she had received and discovered that the same bear spirit had also informed her of its desire to become a protector for our land and house. When I walk in the area of our yard where this spirit lives, I feel so much power that I am aware of my impulse to ask permission before entering the thicket. Honored by this presence and power, I asked what the bear spirit would like in exchange and the answer was "blueberries."So we planted a few blueberry bushes and each summer our bear protector receives an offering of them with our deepest gratitude. I also thank him in my morning prayers as I would never want to take him for granted!
How can you call protective Spirits to you wherever you live or work? You'll find that it is a joyful adventure and here are some guidelines. You can do this outside (or inside if you have inquisitive neighbors). Find a quiet spot with the phones and other distractions shut off. Take a few deep breaths to support your body to begin relaxing. Using your imagination, move your consciousness around your property. Notice where you are drawn. It may be a tree, bush, rock or garden spot. Allow yourself to be drawn closer until you feel that you are there. Ask to meet with the spirit of this space and ask it to introduce you to the caretaker of your land. Recognize that you may already be face to face with it as you ask this. You may feel a shift in temperature or the breath of an unexpected breeze. Some people may become aware of a smell, a sound, or a vibrating color. You may be aware that even in a noisy neighborhood, you are enveloped in silence for a short time. You may sense a presence or feel a shift in your mood that is joyful. Thank the spirit for meeting with you and ask what it wants in enchange for its protection. Once you have come to an equitable agreement, it is crucial that you honor it. Once established, keeping your part of the agreement will assure that the relationship will continue to develop over time. If you are in a city apartment, you may be surprised to discover that one of your plants has taken on the protector role. Even an indoor house plant carries the understanding that it is connected to all of life.
Another resource of protection are your pets. They are aware of their connections to the web of life and their sensitivities allow them to be aware of energies that are not beneficial. Once they alert you, you can ask your protective spirts to handle the situation.
Sometimes our protector spirits are in animal form. These are referred to as "power animals." A power animal is a spirit ally that takes the form of an animal or bird. By the virtue of them existing outside of ordinary time/space they can be available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to protect you. As a shamanic practitioner, I have found no more practical and effective way to feel protected at home or anywhere on the planet than to call upon the support of my power animal. Under many circumstances, I merge with the essence of my power animal to support, guide and protect me. While they are always willing, it is my job to ask for it when I feel it is needed.
Why would a spirit want to enter into that kind of relationship? Protector spirits, who know the interconnectedness of all of existence know that we are all created to live from our highest and most complete selves. They also understand that we may require support to feel that it is possible. We also need to feel protected enough to live it. Many people are comfortable being in relationship with a spirit in the form of an animal or bird--sometimes even more than if the spirit were in human form. People meet their power animal in many different ways. Some hold an awareness from childhood of being strongly drawn to a particular animal or bird. Others meet one in meditation or a guided imagery session. For others, they have one brought back to them in a shamanic healing ceremony.
One woman came to us for a healing ceremony after being devastated by an unexpected divorce. She was having difficulty selling her house which was draining her financial resources. The power animal I brought back to give to her was an indigo bunting. Later that day she called to say that she went home to look up what an indigo bunting was since she could not recall ever hearing about them. She was laughing as she spoke because all that summer she had been protecting a birds nest under the eves of her front door. She had not allowing anyone to use the door and yet had no idea about the species of the birds she had diligently protected. She was surprised to discover that it had been an indigo bunting!
When she came in for her follow-up appointment, we led her in a guided imagery journey to meet her returned soul essences and power animal. The spirit of the indigo bunting filled her heart to overflowing. She was initially taken a bit off guard as this experience was outside of her religious paridigm. We asked what she might need from this new resource to support her to strengthen the connection. She said she had realized that the reason her house might not be selling is that there was a room in the house that she and her cat did not want to enter. Her indigo bunting suggested an idea--take the nest she had saved from over her door and place it in the room.
The client did follow through and when she returned again she shared with us that the once uncomfortable space now was her cat’s favorite spot and had become her sewing room. Shortly after, she had an offer to buy her house!
We have a right to feel safe in our bodies, our homes, our world. Our spirit helpers are waiting for us to invite them to be part of our life journey every day through whatever way feels right for each of us.
-Allie
-------------------------------------------------------
Note: For more information on Earth Spirit Living by Ann Marie Holmes see this month’s Shamama Bear Review.--Editors.
|
